Lit Charcoal Briquette Causes Sammamish House Fire on Sunday Night, King County Fire Investigator Says

A lit charcoal briquette was accidentally placed in a shed at a Sammamish house on Sunday and caused a blaze estimated at $10,000 in damages, a King County fire investigator said Monday.

crews received a call for help around 8:10 p.m. and arrived in the 800 block of 209th Avenue Northeast, agency spokeswoman Josie Williams said in an email.

A relative of the person who owns the house thought the barbecue briquettes were cold and returned them to the shed, which was attached to the house, King County Fire Inspector Todd Legg said.

“They had been exposed to burning charcoal in an operating barbecue,” he said.

The fire started in the shed and spread to the house. Eastside Fire & Rescue crews discovered fire in the house attic and over the dining room, Williams said.

There were initial reports of smoke and flames from the back of the house, she added. No injuries were reported.

dispatched three engines, a ladder truck, air support vehicle and an aid van. A battalion chief also was on the scene. Redmond Fire Department sent a ladder truck, Williams said.

Fire crews had to pull the ceiling down in the house to put the blaze out.